Race and Place Newspapers

Richmond Planet

Newspaper Information
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Date of Publication: May 19, 1906 (Wednesday)
Frequency: weekly
Article Transcripts

Page 01

Column 1
Echoes From Norfolk

Summary of Article
The Virginia Baptist State Convention concluded its convention in Norfolk. It met to discuss issues of spiritual, material, and intellectual advancement for African-Americans. There were many speakers from elsewhere, with remarks and donations coming from places like Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The convention reluctantly agreed to endorse the upcoming Jamestown Exposition, though it went on record as antagonistic to the Jim Crow nature of the event. The convention was split by two factions, but the heads of each were both re-elected to their positions, and the tensions were resolved with relative amicability.

Column 3
Virginia Union University

Summary of Article
Reports on the seventh commencement excercise at Virginia Union University. Speeches were given on the "Third American Revolution," "The Influence of Art on Morals," "True Socialism," "Viligance, the Preserver of Liberty," and industrialism.

Column 5
Samaritans Annual Convention

Summary of Article
Announces the thirty-fourth annual session for the State Grand Lodge in Danville, Va.

Column 6
The First Colored Organizer

Summary of Article
An African-American man became the first salaried black organizer for a (undoubtedly mainstream) labor organization when he assumed that station for International Laborer's Union headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.

Column 6
A New Venture

Summary of Article
Announces an opportunity to invest in a new site for community entertainment.

Column 6
Ordained as Pastor of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church

Summary of Article
Announces the ordination of a new pastor at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church in Penola, Va. and describes the ceremonies. Also lists the members of the church council.J.W. Freeman, Clerk of Council

Column 7
Lawyer Chiles Speaks

Summary of Article
Commends the editor of the Planet for his work and says that the paper is an "invaluable luminary." Focuses on the Planet's recent words regarding lynching. Agrees that lynch mobs should be met with all force, and that will breed a healthy respect for the law that is so critical in the South. Says that southern blacks are taxed without representation and tried without juries of peers.Long may the Richmon Planet continue its course. Yours truly, J. Alexander Chiles.

Column 7
A Rare Treat.

Summary of Article
Announces possible prizes of a free round-trip ticket to Baltimore and six days board free. The prizes are for those who sell the most ten cent tickets over 199 to an upcoming church lecture.

The centerpiece is a picture of San Francisco in the aftermath of the recent devastating earthquake.

Page 04

Column 1
A Case of Two Throats

Summary of Article
Talks about a controversy between city health officials. To tests the efficacy of the City Bacteriologist, two doctors conspired to give him a false sample, which was reported as infected. The object of this deception was very displeased, but admitted that he did make the reported identification. The Planet is amused by the wrangling between white city officials, and thinks that the numerous political posts are unnecessary and complicated.

Column 2
Still Complaining

Summary of Article
Includes a letter from a Wilmington reader criticizing the Planet for intimating that Republicans are better people than Democrats, and northerners suprerior to southerners. It also says that the Planet has not published previous articles sent in becuase they did not resonate with the newspaper's own views. Finally, the letter charges the Planet with encouraging African-Americans to push cases to the Supreme Court. The editorial says that all of these charges are absurd. Most republicans are better on equal rights than most democrats, it says, but the Planet has always embraced sympathetic white southerners. It also says that it frequently publishes material with views different from its own, and cites a recent letter espousing socialism. Finally, the editorial says that it sees the Supreme Court as indifferent or antagonistic to black rights, and so the Planet has always encourage people to look for justice in state legislatures or courts.

Column 3
President Roosevelt and His Allies

Summary of Article
Says that Benjamin Tillman, the Democratic Senator from South Carolina, failed in his attempt to pass a railroad rate bill, and is an ineffective statesman. Also believes that this has become apparent to President Roosevelt, who once embraced Tillman and tried to work with him on the bill.

Column 4
Has Senator Foraker Deserted Us?

Summary of Article
Reports on the acquiesence, even embrace, of Senator Foraker of Ohio to Jim Crow orginization of interstate railway cars. Despairs that Senator Foraker, supposedly on of African-American's greatest friends in the Senate, seems to no longer stand for unequivocal equal treatment.

Column 6
President' Statement

Summary of Article
President Roosevelt denied making any committments to proposed amendments to a pending railroad rate bill.

Column 7
Tillman Vigorously Denies

Summary of Article
Senator Benjamin Tillman of South Carolina (Dem.) denied asking President Rooosevelt to support his proposed version of a pending railroad rate bill. The Senator maintains that the President has no say in the design of the legislation, that it is a matter for the Senate, and accuses Roosevelt of acting in bad faith and damaging the bill.

Column 7
Vesuvius Discharging Sand

Summary of Article
The volcanic activity of Mt. Vesuvius in Naples., Italy, increased and it began discharging enormous amounts of sand.

Column 7
Aged Man Cut His Throat

Summary of Article
A 78 year-old man killed himself because of depression stemming from illness.

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